How High Can House Flies Fly?
WouterYou’ve probably heard the question, “How high can house flies fly?” If you’ve ever seen a fly in the sky, you’ve probably wondered how high they can get. Typically, flies can’t fly much higher than 3,000 feet. However, some species can go higher, even up to 5,000 feet. They typically fly closer to the ground to feed on food, but some do manage to make it to higher altitudes when conditions are less than favorable.
House flies fly at a fast rate, beating their wings more than a thousand times per minute. This allows them to travel 4.5 miles per hour. This rapid movement makes it possible for them to get to high altitudes to avoid predators or humans. However, they do not need to fly too high to feel safe.
Flies lay up to 500 eggs in their lifetime. The eggs are laid singly or in small clusters. They are around 1.2 millimeters in length and are laid by females. The number of eggs is determined by the size of the female and the nutrition requirements of the larvae. House flies lay their eggs in warm, moist environments. They are especially prevalent in regions with high humidity.
The life cycle of a house fly consists of four stages – the egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Adult house flies typically live from 15 to 25 days. They can survive two or three days without food. If they can find a suitable food source, they can live for up to two months. The female flies require protein to reproduce, so manure is not sufficient.
